Awning-roller construction



J. F. KING.

AWNI'NG ROLLER CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 27, 1920.

1,424,572 Patented Aug. 1, 1922.

w vtmwo N EN KI G, OF K-A ISEELL, MO TANA- AWN I1\T G-ROLLER CONSTRUCTION.

' Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 1, 1922,

Application filed September 27, 1920. Serial No. 413,122.

To all whom it may concern:

'Beit known that I, JOHN F. K NG, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kalispe'll, in the county of Flathead and State of Montana, have invented certain new and usetullmprovements in Awning- Roller Constructions; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

' This invention relates to improvements in roller structures, and it has particular reference to the construction of awning rollers.

One object of the invention is to provide an awning roller having a'longitiidinally extending central bar or rod carrying disks at its center and adjacent its ends and having truss rods carried by these disks, each truss rod having its intermediate portion engaged by the center disk and offset circumterentially of the roller with respect to its end portions thus causing the roller to be' braced in a very eficient manner when strain is applied when rolling an awning upon the roller.

Another object of the invention is to so construct this roller that the end portions of the rods may be firmly heldin engagement with the end disks and the end portions of the truss rods prevented from dragging out of engagement with the end disks when the center disk is turned to offset the intermediate portions of the truss rods with respect to the end portions'thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide an awning roller which can be very readily assembled and which when assembled will 'be very strong and durable and not liable tojbend when in use.

Another object of the invention is to so construct this roller that the truss rods may be mounted in notches cut in the outer pcripheral portions of the disk carried by the center shaft thus permitting of the rods being easily and quickly put in place or removed when desired;

Another object of the invention is to so construct this roller that when assembled,

the portions of the truss rods between the center disk and end disks will extend in crossed relation and thus permit the truss employed for supporting the awning.

rods to brace the roller longitudinally and clrcumferentially.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved awning roller of the above mentioned type which is such that it may be used to replace the ordinary awning rollers now on the market, thus permitting the usual wooden supporting roller to be dispensed with.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a roller constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the parts of the rollers disconnected. 1

In carrying out my invention, I make use of a sleeve or casing in which 'I place a reinforced rod, the latter being reinforced-by novel bracing means whichis such that it transfers the weight which is exerted .on the center of the rod,-to the opposite ends thereof, thus equalizing the pull and preventing bending of said rod "between its ends as ordinarily occurs.

Referring to the drawings, wherein the preferred embodiment of my invention is clearly illustrated, it will be seen that the numeral 1 designates a tubular member made from suitable material in which the rod 2 above refer-red to is disposed. This tube 1 and rod 2 will extend for the entire length and sli htly 'beyondtheopposite sides of the awning to permit-them-to be rotat-ably mounted in the ordinary brackets which are Arranged on rod 2., one at each end and one between its ends, are a plurality of heads 3 in the form of collars, the same :being secured in positionby means of set-screwsor the like 4-. Examination of these heads will disclose the fact that the periphery of each one is provided with a plurality of spaced notches 5 the notches o-fthe respective heads being preferably in longitudinal alignment with li d one another. The bracing means above referred to is associated with these notches. This bracing means is preferably in the form of a plurality of truss-rods 3, these truss rods being provided at their opposite ends with reduced necks 7 seated in notches in the respective end heads which are in longitudinal alignment with one another, the

central portions of these truss-rods being seated in notches in the central head 3 which are circumferentially out of longitudinal alignment with the notches that the ends of the respective truss-rods are seated in. It is to be noted that on the extremity of each of thetruss-rods, enlargements constituting heads 8 are formed for the purpose of better retaining the truss-rods in the mountings. Also, the faces of the heads 3 have annular grooves or channels 9 formed therein in which the headed ends of said truss-rods seat 'to prevent accidental disconnection. of the truss-rods from the heads '3. Any suitable durable structure.

asturn-buckles -10 may be emshortening or lengthening the By arranging the central pormeans, such ployed for truss-rods.

tions of the various truss-rodsin notches in the central heads 3 whlch are circumferentially out of alignment with the notches in which the opposite ends of the truss-rods are seated and connected, it will be seen that the truss-rods become bowed and cross one another and provide an extremely strong and Hence, with this construction, when weight is exerted on the central portions of rod 2, the mechanical connection of the truss rods with the heads ad jacent the ends of this rod. will transfer the weight or pull to the opposite ends of this rod 2 and will thus equalize and uniformly distribute,,toa very great extent, the pull exerted on this rod. In this way possible bending of the rod between its ends, as it ordinarily does, is prevented.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that I have devised an extremely advantageous and novel awning roller con" struction which can be sold as an attachment 1 my improved roller is in use than with the ordinary construction and arrangement. Furthermore, I so construct my roller that it is. adapted to for rotation 1n the ordinary bearings provided with the usual supporting brackets and at this point I may state that, if desirable, the peripheral portions of the heads 3 referred to, can be en-. Consequently, less wear and tear of the canvas awning 18 caused when be easily and-readily mounted each end and one at the center,

referred to in the foregoing description may be further provided with sockets for reception of ball bearings which may be used in mounting my roller in the usual bearings. The employment of a plurality of truss-rods arranged spirally in the manner shown insures that no matter what position the rod 2 is in, the pull caused by the weight exerted on the center of this rod will betransferred to the ends thereof for the purpose of equalization of pull. Consequently, the construction and arrangement I employ insures effectiveness in preventing bending of the roller between its ends as ordinarily occurs.

A careful consideratlon of the foregolng description taken in connection with the laccompanying drawing, will enable persons skilled in the art to which this invention appertains, to obtain a clear understanding of the same, therefore, furthergdescription 1s deemed unnecessary.

Advantageous and effective results, can

no doubt, be obtained with the construction and arrangement of parts shownand described. For this reason, this construction and arrangement is taken as the preferred.

embodiment of my invention. However, I

wish it to be understood that various minor changes m the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention orthe scope of the subjoined claims. I 0121,1111! I 1 1. A. device of the class'described compris- "inga central rod provided at its opposite ends and intermediate its ends with heads, and a plurality of truss-rods secured at their opposite ends to said end headsfand connected at their centers to the remaining head, the pointsof connection of saidtruss rods-with the respective; heads being the same radial distancefrom said central. rod, the central point of connection ofeach rod being disposed out of circumferential longitudinal alinement with respect to the end points of connection, whereby-the rods are caused to cross one another. 7 a

2. A. device of the class'described comprising a rod, collars arranged thereonnear the ends and at a point between the. ends, the peripheries of said collars beingprovided with notches, and a plurality of adjustable truss-rods having their ends removably seated in the notches in the end collars and having their central portions seated in notches in the central collar which are circumferentially out of longitudinal alignment with respect, to the notches in which their opposite ends. are .seated and secured. p

3. In a" roller structure, a tube, arod. arranged therein, collars on the rod, one at the periphery of each collar being notched and there being annular grooves formed in the outer faces of the end collars, and a plurality of notches in the central head which are out of longitudinally adjustable truss rods procircumferential longitudinal alinenient With vided at their ends with heads arranged respect to the notches in the end collars in 10 in said grooves, and adjacent said heads Which their opposite ends are seated. with reduced necks removably seated in the In testimony whereof I have hereunto set notches in the end heads, the central pormy hand. tions of the truss-rods being seated in JOHN FIELDEN KING. 

